When #Patriots OC Josh McDaniels takes over as the #Colts head coach, sources say a top target has emerged as OC: Former #Seahawks OC Darrell Bevell. He also has interest from the #Vikings and #Giants.

Guess who was a college teammate

Wisconsin had long been a Big Ten football doormat before Barry Alvarez became coach. Bevell was the Badgers' quarterback starting in 1992 and led them to a stunning 10-1-1 record in 1993 that included a Rose Bowl victory over UCLA. Bevell rushed for a 21-yard touchdown in that game.

Bevell held the Wisconsin passing yardage record (7,686) upon graduation and led it to consecutive bowl victories for the first time.

One of Bevell's Wisconsin teammates: Colts General Manager Chris Ballard.

Taking a chance on Wilson

Bevell was instrumental in the Seahawks drafting quarterback Russell Wilson in 2012.

Seattle's offense struggled with Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback in 2011, and Bevell took a particular interest in Russell, who played at Wisconsin.

In what Seahawks coach Pete Carroll called "Bevell's project," they drafted Wilson in the third round. Wilson beat out Matt Flynn for the starting job in 2012 and Seattle made the playoffs.

The following year, the Seahawks trounced the Denver Broncos 48-3 in the Super Bowl. Seattle was 18th in yards gained that season.

Taking some heat

Bevell has taken a lot of heat in recent seasons, starting with a fateful play late in Super Bowl XLIX. Behind running back Marshawn Lynch, the Seahawks rolled to the New England 1-yard line in final minute. Then they tried an inside slant pass that was intercepted by the Patriots' Malcolm Butler, preserving a 28-24 New England victory.

On the game broadcast, announcer Cris Collinsworth said: "You have Marshawn Lynch. You have a guy who's been borderline unstoppable. ... If I lose this Super Bowl because Marshawn Lynch can't get into the end zone, so be it. So be it. I can't believe the call."

Late in the 2016 season, outspoken Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman screamed at Bevell on the sideline just after they passed from the 1 late in a game.

Richard Sherman said he was upset about the Seahawks throwing from the 1-yard line. Didn't back off. "We've already seen that." pic.twitter.com/WLH875lbLX

The Seahawks fired Bevell last month, shortly after they failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2011. They were 15th in yards gained. Wilson led the NFL with 34 passing touchdowns, but he was sacked 43 times and the Seattle rushing game struggled behind a beat-up line.